Ice Bowl really lives up to its name

January 27, 2013

STEUBENVILLE - Saturday's sixth annual Ice Bowl, sponsored by the Beatty Park Disc Golf Association, certainly lived up to its name, with temperatures hovering in the 20s, lots of snow and about 60 disc golf enthusiasts ready to play 18 holes.

Although organizer Bill Rohrey said he could have done without the snow, the temperatures were perfect for local and regional disc golfers to play a round as a fundraiser for the Jefferson County Fourth Street Health Center and the Urban Mission Ministries.

"This is our sixth annual event," said Rohrey. "We started out with maybe 30 (participants) six years ago. Two years ago we had 44 players that played in 15 inches of snow."

Article Photos

OPENING SHOT — Steubenville First Ward Councilman Gerald “Yonk” DiLoreto makes a hole in one to open the sixth annual Beatty Park Ice Bowl Saturday, sponsored by the Beatty Park Disc Golf Association. More than 60 souls braved the snow and cold temperatures to play 18 holes in a fundraiser for the Jefferson County Fourth Street Health Center and the Urban Mission Ministries. -- Mark Miller

Rohrey said the main objectives were to have fun and raise funds for the mission through donations of $10 to play the course and the collection of canned goods.

"So far we've given the Fourth Street Health Center $3,000 in cash and more than 2,800 pounds of food to the Urban Mission," Rohrey said. "That's what this is all about - raising funds for charities."

The disc golf course at Beatty Park includes 18 holes in a circular course around the park. Each "hole" is actually a wire basket, and "balls" are Frisbee-type discs thrown by players attempting to throw the disc into the basket. The rules are similar to golf, and the sport has caught on and gone national, with associations throughout the country.

Rohrey said there were players from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio there Saturday ready to tackle the course despite the freezing temperatures. Brian Hutchison from Claraton, Pa., said he was ready and willing to get started.

"We travel around the entire area going to different courses," said Hutchison. "This is my second time here. It's a fun sport to play.

"I wear layers (to keep warm)," he continued. "Once I start throwing, I warm up. This is a nice day. It's snowing, but at least it's not windy."

Hutchison also said he would be attending another disc gold event in Moundsville in February, and "that one is a beastly course to play."

Allen Goodfriend of Middlebourne, W.Va., designed a disc golf course in Middlebourne called the Timberdoodle Thicket, complete with clubhouse, showers and other facilities? He said he was there to support a fellow disc golf association and have some fun.

"This is my second year here," he said. "I was here last year. It's just a beautiful thing to help people out and play at the same time. I'm here for a good time, basically. (Disc golf) has gone nationwide."

The Rev. Ashley Steele, director of the Urban Mission, said she was delighted to see so many ready to participate and donate. Steele also said she was there to play as well as accept donations.

"Last year we gave away more than 1 million pounds of food," said Steele. "It's nice to have this event at the beginning of the year. This kicks off our fundraising. We are very grateful to those who sponsor this event every year."

For information on the local association, go to beattyparkdiscgolf.com